Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary’s Wild Thing trail race
Lenox — Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary’s fifth annual Wild Thing 5K/10K trail race and 5K walk Wednesday, June 24, through Sunday, June 28. The format of this year’s race has changed due to COVID-19, making it possible for racers to participate from wherever they are.
The 5K and 10K courses will be set up in Kennedy Park as in past years. Competitors can run, walk or hike the courses on their own schedules for the duration of the event. For those not able to get to Lenox, the Anywhere Wild Thing allows for running, walking or hiking in participants’ own neighborhoods or favorite local natural areas.
To be part of the event, competitors track their run, walk or hike using their favorite app. After completing the activity, they will post a screenshot of the time and distance to the Virtual Wild Thing Facebook event page or email it. Participants are encouraged to also share a photo of themselves before, during or after their activity. Those using the Pleasant Valley/Kennedy Park route are encouraged to take a photo in front of the start/finish line. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest male and female for the 5k and 10k routes in Kennedy Park, as well as for a number of fun and creative categories for both the local and “anywhere” race.
There is a suggested $10 donation. To be eligible to win prizes, both local and “anywhere” participants must register. For more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary at (413) 637-0320 or berkshires@massaudubon.org.
–E.E.
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Virtual party to support Barrington Stage Company
Pittsfield — On Saturday, June 27, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Barrington Stage Company will host the virtual party “BSC Bash: On With the Show.”
The evening of light and hope with songs, artists and community leaders will include a sneak preview of next year’s world premiere dance musical “A Crossing” plus performances by Jordan Craig, Alan H. Green, Jeff McCarthy, Alexandra Silber, Elizabeth Stanley and Alysha Umphress and appearances by Joshua Bergasse, Ty Allan Jackson and John Rando, among others.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. All proceeds raised will support BSC’s Next Act funding campaign. For more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Barrington Stage Company at info@barringtonstageco.org.
–E.E.
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Ancram Opera House to stream storytelling performances
Ancram, N.Y. — Ancram Opera House will open its fifth anniversary season Saturday, June 27, at 8 p.m. with “Real People, Real Stories: Redux,” a special livestreamed edition of its signature storytelling event.
“Real People, Real Stories: Redux” will feature some of the most memorable personal narratives shared over the years by local residents, including performances from Jan Hopkins of Gallatin with a story about escaping Czechoslovakia during the Russian invasion of 1968; Brett LaFave of Albany with a story about a misguided bungee jumping adventure; Debby Mayer, formerly of Hudson, now of San Diego, with a story about driving west for one more adventure; and Mark Senak with a story about an unexpected journey to Manassas Battlefield Park.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. A video of the performances will be available for viewing on AOH’s website and YouTube channel for registered audiences through the end of August. For more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact the Ancram Opera House at (518) 329-0114 or info@ancramoperahouse.org.
–E.E.
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Beyond Plastics to hold Virtual Act-Athon for Kids
Bennington, Vt. — Beyond Plastics, a nationwide project based at Bennington College that empowers students and community leaders around the country to reduce plastic pollution, and Green Ivy Schools invite kids ages 7-13 to participate in a Virtual Act-Athon Thursday, June 25, at 2 p.m.
The community effort welcomes kids to use their creativity to tell the biggest producers of plastic pollution to fix the problem they’ve created. During the Virtual Act-Athon, hosted via Zoom, kids will be divided into smaller breakout groups led by a experienced youth mentors. The sessions will utilize their interests in various media — including video, writing, social media, drawing, and sculpting — to create a mini-campaign targeting one of the major corporations contributing to the plastic pollution crisis. The workshop will be facilitated by Beyond Plastics development director Jennifer Congdon, Green Ivy Schools founder Jennifer Jones, and Bennington student Olivia Chiossone ’23.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact Bennington College at (802) 442-5401 or communications@bennington.edu.
–E.E.
